Saturday, December 02, 2017

Eagle Scout Projects Beautify Town Center

Two recently completed Eagle Scout projects are helping to beautify Wrentham’s town center. One project included planting 8 maple trees along the border of the town’s gravel parking lot on the site of the former Center School, with the promise of delivering lasting good looks through the seasons to come. This project was organized by local resident Luke Davies. The other Eagle Scout project that is helping to improve downtown is one that put footlights on the World War I memorial flagpole. The project allows the flag to be lit during nighttime hours, offering an added level of respect for the memorial. This project was organized by local resident Kevin Duduch.

The project to plant the maple trees was envisioned as a way to help improve downtown, while giving back to the town. “We chose Armstrong Maples because we wanted to use a maple tree variety that was very hardy, drought tolerant, attractive trees with beautiful red autumn foliage. Also, the trees are robust and should do well in challenging growing conditions, as they are native to New England,” said Luke Davies (pictured). The project included raising the funds to buy the trees, and organizing local volunteers to plant the trees, and maintain them through the Spring. Donations came from a number of well known businesses, and Mr. Davies expressed gratitude for their generosity, saying “We could not have done this project if it were not for the generosity of local businesses and citizens who helped make this possible.” Mr. Davies, a member of Troop 111 in Foxboro, is nearly finished with the requirements for Eagle Scout and expects to complete the remaining items after the new year.

The memorial light project included coordinating the work to scope, plan and install the lights. The lights were lit up as part of the Veterans Day ceremony on the town common. The fixtures are commercial grade bronze low voltage light housings that are commonly used for this type of all-weather installation. They were selected because of their heavy construction with the expectation that they will last long into the future. “I saw this as a great way to give back to the community in a way that helps to pay respect to our veterans and beautify an important memorial in our town center,” said Mr. Duduch (pictured). Again, local businesses and citizens stepped up to help fund the effort, helping to bring those in the community together. “Each one of the donors should be proud of this project, as they all own a piece of the accomplishment,” continued Mr. Duduch. In the coming months, Mr. Duduch, a member of Troop 131 in Wrentham, will participate in an Eagle Scout Board of Review as the final step before being awarded the rank of Eagle Scout.

Each year, about 6% of eligible Scouts attain the rank of Eagle, and over 2.5 million Eagle Scouts have been recognized since the first was awarded in 1912 to Arthur Eldred. Those interested in joining Scouting can find local organizations and learn more about the available programs at BeAScout.org.

Luke Davies, and team of volunteers under his direction, planted Armstrong Maples in the center of town.

The World War I memorial flagpole is now respectfully lit during nighttime hours thanks to the efforts of Troop 131's Kevin Duduch.